Lincolnshire people eligible for free flu vaccine urged to get protected as flu season hits early

The call comes as latest data confirms this year’s flu vaccine offers strong protection, despite the emergence of a new subtype driving an unusually early flu season.

New data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows the 2025/26 vaccine is currently 70 to 75 per cent effective at preventing children aged 2 to 17 years needing to go to hospital and 30 to 40 per cent effective in adults.

The early findings confirm the flu vaccine provides important protection, despite a flu strain currently dominating cases in England. Flu vaccine effectiveness varies from season to season but is typically between 30 per cent to 60 per cent, with higher vaccine effectiveness typically seen in younger age groups, helping to prevent transmission.

It comes as flu activity has risen unusually early this season, with increases first seen in teenagers and young adults, followed by younger children.

“In Lincolnshire and across the country we are seeing an earlier flu season this year with the number of flu cases rising at a sharper rate than this time last year, with the highest rate being in those aged five-14 years-olds,” comments Steph Hart, Assistant Locality Lead – Vaccination Programme, at NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board.

“Vaccinations are a key defence against flu and various other diseases and can play an important role in lessening the impact of these diseases on you, your child, and your wider family.”

This autumn, all schoolchildren from reception to year 11 will be offered a flu vaccination at school and most will be offered the nasal spray flu vaccine.

Parents and guardians need to give their consent for their child to be vaccinated. This can be done by completing an online consent form, which is usually sent via email from school.

To-date only one third of eligible two to three year-olds in Lincolnshire have had their nasal spray flu vaccination.

The flu vaccination can be done at your GP surgery or a participating Community Pharmacy. You should contact your surgery to book an appointment.

“It’s also worth remembering that children with long-term health conditions are at a higher risk of complications from flu, so it’s important they are vaccinated, either at school or by booking an appointment at their GP practice,” said Steph.

You can book a free flu vaccination for your child aged 2 or 3 years (as of 31 August 2025 – i.e. born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2023) at their GP practice by contacting them directly or a participating Community Pharmacy by booking online at http://www.nhs.uk/bookflu.

Appointments can be made via the NHS website, NHS App or by calling 119. The ‘walk in flu finder’ on the NHS app also allows people to find a pharmacy where they can walk in for a vaccine without an appointment.

There is more information on NHS Lincolnshire ICB’s website www.lincolnshire.icb.nhs.uk/grabajab

Those aged 65 years and over, people with long term health conditions, children aged two up to Year 11, pregnant women, carers and frontline health workers are among those included.

Anyone with symptoms - including high temperature, cough, and feeling tired or achy – should minimise contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable. Wash hands regularly and ensure indoor spaces are well ventilated, and if you need to go out with symptoms, consider wearing a face covering.